Capturing the Beauty of Wild Cherry Trees Through Pictures

Wild cherry trees, with their graceful forms and stunning blossoms, make for an ideal photographic subject. As spring arrives, wild cherries become covered in abundant white or pink flowers, transforming them into natural works of art. Capturing their elegance and ephemeral beauty through pictures is a rewarding photographic endeavor.

An Overview of Wild Cherries

Wild cherry trees belong to the genus Prunus, which includes other stone fruits like peaches, plums, and apricots. There are around 400 species in this genus worldwide. Some of the most common wild cherry trees are:

• Black cherry (Prunus serotina) – Native to eastern North America with dark bark and white flowers. Produces small bitter dark cherries.

• Bird cherry (Prunus padus) – Native to Europe and Asia. Has fragrant white flowers in drooping clusters. The small sour red cherries are eaten by birds.

• Pin cherry (Prunus pensylvanica) – Native to northern North America. Fast-growing with reddish bark and white flowers. Produces tiny red cherries

• Sweet cherry (Prunus avium) – Native to Europe, southwest Asia and northwest Africa. Widely naturalized elsewhere. Pinkish white flowers produce sweet, dark red cherries.

Wild cherries are fairly small, deciduous trees reaching 15-30 feet tall at maturity. They thrive in full sun and well-drained soil.

Capturing Their Spring Charm

The flowering season for wild cherries lasts about two weeks in early to mid spring. This presents a short window of time for photographers to capture images of the trees in full bloom.

Some tips for photographing wild cherry blossoms:

• Scout locations ahead of time – It helps to identify wild cherry trees in your area and note when they bloom. Return to these spots as soon as the flowers emerge.

• Shoot in morning or evening light – The soft, warm light at these times brings out the delicate details and colors of the blossoms. It creates a romantic, magical mood.

• Try backlighting – Position the sun behind the flowers so they glow. Use exposure compensation or filters to prevent the backlight from overexposing the image.

• Focus on single branches – Compose shots around the graceful, flowering branches. Blur or eliminate the background to simplify the image.

• Include spring greenery – Frame branches with budding leaves, grasses, or other flowering plants to showcase the season.

• Photograph the whole tree – Also take wide shots of the entire tree to convey the full spectacle of the spring display.

• Record peak bloom – Return to trees and continue shooting as more blossoms open to capture the tree at the height of flowering.

Creative Ways to Photograph Wild Cherries

Beyond straightforward flower photography, there are many creative ways to photograph wild cherries in spring:

• Macro photography – Get super close to capture the delicate details of individual flowers, clusters, and buds. Use specialized macro lenses to magnify details.

• Black and white – Convert images to black and white to focus attention on the trees’ shape and texture. The high contrast accentuates the lacy patterns.

• Shallow depth of field – Blur the foreground and/or background to isolate certain branches or flowers in soft focus. This removes distractions.

• Creative compositions – Place branches with blossoms in the foreground with landscapes in the background. Or try filling the entire frame with flowers for abstract images.

• People or animals – Add interest by including people or animals enjoying the flowering trees, like picnickers or birds. Show the cherries’ beauty being appreciated.

• Light painting – Make unique nighttime shots by using flashlights, mobile lights, or other light sources to selectively illuminate the trees.

Beyond Spring – Photographing Wild Cherries Year-Round

Wild cherry trees remain photogenic subjects long after their spring blooms fade. Their wildlife, seasonal transformations, bark, and fruit offer opportunities for stunning pictures throughout the year.

• Birds and pollinators – Capture images of songbirds feeding on the cherries or bees busily pollinating the blossoms.

• Autumn color – The leaves turn hues of yellow, orange, red, or purple in fall depending on species.

• Winter scenes – Snow-covered branches or icy droplets on the bare trees create striking wintry images.

• Textured bark – The markings and lichens on wild cherry bark make great abstract textures. Convert images to black and white for emphasis.

• Fruit – Shoot the small, shiny cherries as they ripen, from unripe green to mature red or black. Try backlighting them.

Photographing the varied beauty of wild cherry trees across the seasons tells a more complete visual story of these captivating trees. With creativity and purpose, photographers can capture their spirited essence in pictures.

Yes, you can eat wild cherries from a wild cherry tree, but it’s important to be cautious. While the fruit is generally edible, the pits contain amygdalin, which can release cyanide when metabolized. Therefore, it’s best to avoid consuming the pits.